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Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Rapid City, SD

Cooks in Rapid City, South Dakota, earn an average annual salary of $35,230, which is slightly below the national average of $37,700. This difference in compensation can be attributed to various local economic factors, including the specific demand for culinary professionals and the overall cost of doing business within the Rapid City area.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $35,230 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 20.8% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $45,240.
  • Outlook: The culinary job market in Rapid City, SD, while modest in size with a total workforce of 350 Cooks, Restaurant, shows a concentration level (Location Quotient) of 0.52. This indicates that while the profession is present, it is less concentrated than the national average, suggesting a stable but not rapidly expanding demand for these roles within the local economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$35,230

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Rapid City, SD earns-6.6%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$16.9

Weekly

$678

Monthly

$2,936

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Rapid City, SD

Salary progression for Cooks in Rapid City, SD, typically correlates with experience and skill level. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while experienced chefs or specialized cooks can command significantly higher salaries, often reflected in the upper percentiles of the salary distribution.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$29,770$14.3
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$26,423$12.7
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$35,150$16.9
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$44,038$21.2
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$45,240$21.8

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$35,230

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$35,230

Adjusted for COL (100)

With an average annual salary of $35,230 and a Cost of Living Index at the national average of 100, the nominal income in Rapid City, SD, directly reflects the national standard of living expenses. This means that while the salary is below the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is comparable to the national average.

Job Market Context

350

Total Jobs

4.892

Per 1K Jobs

0.52

Location Quotient

Below Average

Rapid City, SD has 0.52x the national average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

The Location Quotient of 0.52 for Cooks, Restaurant in Rapid City, SD, signifies that the concentration of these jobs is about half that of the national average. This suggests that the market is less saturated than in many other areas, potentially offering a stable employment landscape for skilled individuals, though perhaps with fewer opportunities compared to more concentrated regions.

Nearby Job Markets

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Rapid City, SD?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Rapid City, SD is $35,230. This typically ranges from $29,770 for entry-level positions to $45,240 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Rapid City, SD is 6.6% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Rapid City, SD a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, not particularly lucrative.The average salary of $35,230 is below the national average, and the job market concentration is also lower than the national average.

Is Rapid City, SD a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Rapid City, SD is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

How does Rapid City's cost of living compare to the national average?

Rapid City's cost of living index is exactly at the national average of 100, meaning that the general expenses for goods and services are comparable to the rest of the country.

What is the total number of Cooks, Restaurant employed in Rapid City, SD?

There are approximately 350 Cooks, Restaurant employed within the Rapid City, South Dakota area.

How does the number of Cooks, Restaurant jobs per 1,000 workers compare nationally?

Rapid City has 4.892 jobs per 1,000 workers for Cooks, Restaurant, which is lower than the national average, reflecting a less dense employment landscape for this role.

Does a lower Location Quotient mean fewer job opportunities?

A lower Location Quotient (like 0.52) generally indicates a lower concentration of jobs in that specific occupation relative to the national average, which can imply fewer opportunities compared to more concentrated markets.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 350 employees in the Rapid City, SD area with a job density of 4.892 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Restaurant • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Rapid City, SD